Dee Brown gets down to business during the Illini's 77-63 win against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Brown had five three-pointers en route to 21 points Thursday night at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Grant Burton of Peoria, whose family is from Champaign, reaches out to touch knuckles with Luther Head as he runs onto the floor.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois forward James Augustine tries to shoot against Arizona's Channing Frye. The Wildcats defense stymied Augustine, and the UI junior fouled out with 3:30 left in regulation with four points and six rebounds.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Dee Brown puts up a shot in the first half. Brown finished with 15 points and seven assists in the 90-89 overtime victory.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Warren Carter takes a first-half shot. Carter played three minutes but had two rebounds and made both of his free throw attempts.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Luther Head puts up an early shot over Jawann McClellan. Head finished with 20 points.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Jack Ingram gets a shot off early in the first half. Ingram played a season-high 28 minutes Saturday, scoring eight points and making a critical steal late in regulation.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

Coach Bruce Weber pleads with the refs for a call in the first half.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Arizona coach Lute Olson watches his team in the second half.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

Arizona's Mustafa Shakurm, right, barrels in for a shot against Illinois' Jack Ingram.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Holly Hart

Members of the UI pep band pose for a picture with Illini fans at the team's welcome home. The Illini advanced to the NCAA Final Four on Saturday with an 90-89 overtime victory over Arizona.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Holly Hart

Coach Bruce Weber signs a shirt for Angela Oliveira of Champaign at the welcome home celebration for the UI team.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Holly Hart

James Augustine signs the shirt of a young fan after returning from Rosemont.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Holly Hart

A happy Dee Brown shakes hands with fans at team's welcome home after the Illini's Elite Eight victory.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Heather Coit

Adoring fans of all ages embrace James Augustine at the welcome home reception at the Bieldfeldt Building in Champaign

Illini guards, from left, Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head, show off their pieces of the net after they cut the nets down at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

UI coach Bruce Weber shows off the net after his team's victory over Arizona in the NCAA regional final.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Roger Powell gives praises as he cuts the net.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Luther Head wears his regional championship hat as he gives an interview following the Illini's victory Saturday.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

Deron Williams points to his championship hat as the postgame celebration begins in Rosemont.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Luther Head and Nick Smith celebrate as the game ends.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

Roger Powell Jr. points to the heavans as he is hugged by an Illini cheerleader after the Illini victory Saturday.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: AP Photo

Illinois' Luther Head reacts to making basket in the closing minutes of overtime against Arizona during the Illini's 90-89 win in the Chicago Regional championship game of the NCAA tournament at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

A fan offers sentiments at the end of the game at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

Dee Brown hangs onto the ball as he leaps into his teammates' arms after the Illini's 90-89 overtime win over Arizona.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

Illini fans celebrate in the stands at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont after the Illini's 90-89 victory Saturday.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois senior Luther Head hits a driving layup over Arizona's Channing Frye late in overtime Saturday. The basket gave the Illini a 90-84 lead, and the Wildcats couldn't catch up.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

Deron Williams drives to the basket as Arizona's Channing Frye rises to block his shot late in the overtime period.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

Dee Brown nearly steals the ball from Arizona's Mustafa Shakur as the overtime period begins.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

Dee Brown shows his dismay as he walks back to the bench at the end of regulation.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: John Dixon

The Illinois bench goes wild as Deron Williams hits a shot to tie the game with 38.6 seconds left in regulation, capping one of the greatest comebacks in Illinois history. The Illini outscored Arizona 8-0 in the final 63 seconds of regulation to send the game into overtime.

2005 Elite 8 & Sweet Sixteen

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' Deron Williams pulls in a rebound. Williams finished with a double-double ? 22 points and 10 assists ? in the Illini win.